Overview

The Varkey Foundation’s Family First Global Survey 2026, led by founder Sunny Varkey, reveals that Indian families place an exceptionally high value on intergenerational time together, yet face significant pressures that limit quality interactions.

Core Findings on Family Importance

  • 84% of Indian Gen Z respondents consider spending time with family very important, the highest share among all surveyed nations.
  • 76% of children would like to spend more time with grandparents, also the global high.
  • 85% of parents report meeting their own parents at least once a week and 65% do so daily, both the top percentages worldwide.
  • Despite this emphasis, only 22% of Indian children feel satisfied with the amount of quality family time they receive, the lowest satisfaction rate globally.

Intergenerational Bonding Metrics

  • During a typical family meal, 81% of parents say “everyone is talking together,” ranking second after France (84%).
  • 79% of grandparents say they often spend meaningful time with their families, the third‑highest figure after Argentina (83%) and Brazil (80%).
  • 41% of grandparents report that families typically spend 11 hours or more per week together, the highest global proportion.
  • 76% of grandparents live with their families (second‑highest after Malaysia’s 78%).
  • 65% of grandparents see their grandchildren daily (second‑highest after Malaysia’s 68%).
  • 70% of grandparents believe that spending more time with grandchildren would greatly improve their happiness, the top global share.

Time‑Pressure Constraints

  • 29% of children say their parents are too busy to spend time with them – the highest share worldwide.
  • 43% cite homework or studying as the main barrier to family bonding, joint second globally after Kenya.
  • 23% say school, activities or expectations take time away “a lot” or “all the time,” the second‑highest after the UAE (27%).
  • 44% of parents and 54% of grandparents identify children’s schedules as the primary obstacle, the highest percentages recorded for both groups.
  • Nevertheless, 60% of children state that families often make time for each other despite busy schedules, the second‑highest figure after Nigeria (81%).

Impact of Digital Devices

  • 70% of parents say screen time and digital devices have harmed their family’s bonding opportunities, the second‑highest after Brazil (74%).
  • 60% of grandparents share this view, ranking fourth globally (behind Brazil 71%, Malaysia 71%, UAE 66%).
  • 45% of children name screen time as the most frequent barrier to bonding, the third‑highest after Sweden (51%) and Malaysia (50%).
  • 47% of children feel screens have done more harm than good to family life, the third‑highest after UAE (52%) and Sweden (49%).
  • 74% of grandparents believe today’s children are being raised more by screens than by family, the third‑highest worldwide.

Emotional Support and Parental Involvement

  • 59% of children say their parents always notice when they are upset or struggling, tying for the highest global share with Nigeria.
  • 29% of parents report helping their children with homework for more than seven hours per week, the second‑highest figure after Nigeria (30%).

Perceived Support from Wider Systems

  • 80% of parents feel that societal systems such as work, school and technology support family life, the second‑highest after Nigeria (81%).
  • 82% of grandparents share this sentiment, the highest global proportion.
  • 38% of parents and 37% of grandparents say that government policies providing stronger guidance or limits on children’s screen use and online safety would help families spend more quality time together, the highest percentages among all surveyed countries.